Breaking Down The 3 Most Popular Dating Apps So You Can Find The One For You

Navigating the dating scene as a twenty-something can be extremely complex. Long gone are the days of a straightforward courtship. There aren't any clear rules when it comes to dating anymore and traditional gender roles have been blurred.

Instead of waiting weeks for a love letter to arrive in the mail or sitting by the rotary phone hoping for a call, couples now communicate through short text messages almost constantly throughout the day. And, those that haven't found that special someone yet are typically landing most of their dates from apps instead of in-person connections or through mutual friends.

Love them or hate them, these dating apps are extremely beneficial for young adults hoping to find love. They provide quick and easy access to hundreds of others who are also dealing with the difficulties of dating in the twenty first century.

There are many different apps available to singles and each one has its specific pros and cons. As someone who has had more than their fair share of experiences on these platforms, I've shared some of the good and the bad for my three favorite dating apps in the hopes of helping those still searching for romance.

1. Tinder

The Right Swipe (the good): There's no doubt that you'll be getting plenty of matches on Tinder, as it is the most common dating app for both men and women by a long shot. It seems like the options are limitless, especially in a bigger city like DC, NYC, or Chicago. Honestly, your thumb might get a little sore from all of the swiping.

The Left Swipe (the bad): You're pretty much guaranteed to run into some creeps on Tinder. You never know what people are actually looking for with this app. Each time you get on Tinder you'll come across some pretty interesting pictures (shirtless dudes on tractors) and you'll likely get a few laughs.

2. Bumble

The Right Swipe: My favorite part of this app is that it puts the ball in the court of the woman. The female must be the person to initiate the conversation on Bumble. This is good for men as it takes the pressure off and excellent for women as they can set the tone for the conversation. In my experience, having this filter really reduces the amount of creeps you come across.

The Left Swipe: Matches expire within 24 hours. This means if you aren't actively using the app or receiving notifications, you could be missing out on a potential connection with your match! Sometimes life happens. You get busy actually living in the moment instead of looking at an app, and that's okay. But, if you're using Bumble you better be prepared to lose some of your matches.

3. OK Cupid

The Right Swipe: Anyone on OK Cupid is likely pretty serious about starting a relationship. This is an ideal app for someone who is looking to settle down. With their in-depth profiles, you won't have to ask quite as many questions to get to know the other person before deciding if you want to set up a date.

The Left Swipe: Setting up an app on OK Cupid takes some commitment. It's not just uploading pictures from Facebook or typing in a few quick sentences to the About Me section. You have to answer a full survey of in-depth questions. Again, this likely means that any other user you come across on the app is serious about finding a match.

No matter which app you choose, you're pretty much guaranteed to be entertained and meet some interesting people along the way (even if you don't find your perfect love connection). Today, apps really have become an essential part of dating for millennials. It's a way to meet new people, understand your preferences and, of course, partake in a little shameless flirting.

So, whether you're looking for your soulmate or just want to get laid, pull out your phone, download these apps and start swiping!